NASHVILLE -- Scratch the paint on a 2008 Infiniti EX35 and, with any luck, you'll never find the scratch.

The new, small crossover is the first Infiniti to be painted with what Nissan Motor Co. is calling "fluid finish" technology.

Nissan originally announced the technology in 2005 under the name "scratch guard," but has dropped that marketing name. The paint is now used on a Nissan SUV sold in Japan called the X-Trail.

The EX, which will go on sale here in late December, is Nissan's first North American vehicle with the special paint.

The secret to the technology is a clearcoat layer that contains an elastic resin. Because the resin retains fluidity for about three years into the car's life, the coating flows back into shape, erasing minor scratches.

Tony Pearson, U.S. spokesman for Nissan and Infiniti technology, said the coating takes anywhere from a few hours to a few days to fully erase scratches. Air temperature and the depth of the scratch will affect healing time, he said.

The EX35 occupies a segment smaller than the brand's FX crossover. The 2008 FX's base price, including destination, is $38,710.

The EX boasts a "lane departure prevention" system. The camera-based technology works with the car's steering to inhibit drivers from drifting out of a vehicle lane.

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